THE GORGON’S HEAD
‘Where is she?’ he inquired. ‘Shall we not meet her soon?’
‘All at the proper time,’ said his companion. ‘But this sister of mine, you must understand, is quite a different sort of character from myself. She is very grave and prudent, seldom smiles, never laughs, and makes it a rule not to utter a word unless she has something particularly profound to say. Neither will she listen to any but the wisest conversation.’
‘Dear me!’ ejaculated Perseus; ‘I shall be afraid to say a syllable.’
‘She is a very accomplished person, I assure you,’ continued Quicksilver, ‘and has all the arts and sciences at her fingers’ ends. In short, she is so immoderately wise, that many people call her wisdom personified. But, to tell you the truth, she has hardly vivacity enough for my taste; and I think you would scarcely find her so pleasant a travelling companion as myself. She has her good points, nevertheless; and you will find the benefit of them, in your encounter with the Gorgons.’
By this time it had grown quite dusk. They were now come to a very wild and desert place, overgrown with shaggy bushes, and so silent and solitary that nobody seemed ever to have dwelt or journeyed there. All was waste and desolate, in the gray twilight, which grew every moment more obscure. Perseus looked about him, rather disconsolately, and asked Quicksilver whether they had a great deal farther to go.
‘Hist! hist!’ whispered his companion. ‘Make no noise! This is just the time and place to meet the Three Gray Women. Be careful that they do not see you before
19
